Why I Decided to Bow Out of INEC—Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

Outgoing INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, officially hands over leadership of the Commission to Ms. May Agbamuche-Mbu during a consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at INEC Headquarters, Abuja.

Nigeria’s electoral landscape witnessed a major shift as Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), formally stepped down from his position. His decision, announced during a consultative meeting at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, has stirred wide public discussion and reflection on his decade-long leadership and its impact on the nation’s electoral reforms. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Yakubu handed over the affairs of the Commission to Ms. May Agbamuche-Mbu, a national commissioner, who will now serve as the acting chairman pending the appointment of a substantive successor.
In his address, the outgoing chairman explained that his decision was made in the best interest of the institution and the nation’s democratic development.

Prof. Yakubu clarified that his decision to bow out was guided by the constitutional provisions under Section 36, subsections 1 and 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). He emphasized that it was not a sudden move but a well-considered step to ensure continuity and allow a seamless transition within the Commission.

“I have taken a decision and conveyed the same as provided by Section 36 of the Constitution. In the interim, I am handing over to one of the most senior national commissioners by date of appointment,” Yakubu said.

He further stated that Ms. Agbamuche-Mbu’s appointment as acting chairman followed consultations among other national commissioners, aimed at ensuring stability within the Commission while the appointing authorities finalize the process of appointing a substantive chairman. Yakubu explained that this early transition would afford the new leadership enough time to settle into office ahead of the forthcoming elections, including the Anambra governorship election in November, and preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure at INEC, which spanned over ten years, marked a defining era in Nigeria’s electoral history. Appointed initially in 2015 and reappointed in 2020, Yakubu oversaw two general elections (2019 and 2023), as well as several off-cycle gubernatorial and bye-elections.
Under his watch, INEC introduced numerous innovations that transformed the electoral process, shifting from heavily manual operations to digital and technology-driven systems. These reforms included the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), and the digitalization of candidate nomination and observer accreditation processes.
Yakubu noted that these innovations were designed to promote transparency, reduce electoral fraud, and build public confidence in the democratic process.

“We consolidated the biometric register of voters and replaced many of INEC’s manual processes with digital platforms. These included the nomination of candidates, accreditation of observers and media, and the management of results,” he said.

INEC’s adoption of technology during Yakubu’s tenure marked a milestone in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. The introduction of BVAS revolutionized voter accreditation by ensuring that each voter could only vote once, effectively addressing the problem of multiple voting and identity fraud.
Similarly, the IReV platform allowed the public to monitor election results in real time, enhancing transparency and accountability. The Commission also leveraged digital tools for logistics, training, and monitoring purposes through the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC), a system that allowed INEC to track operations and identify challenges in real time during elections.

“With the support of development partners, we introduced technologies that improved various aspects of election management, from locating election facilities to managing collation officers and conducting virtual trainings,” Yakubu stated.

One of Yakubu’s strongest leadership traits was his commitment to collaboration. Over the years, he maintained open communication channels with political parties, the National Assembly, civil society organizations, the media, and security agencies. He acknowledged the critical role played by development partners and civil society in sustaining electoral integrity. Yakubu also appreciated Nigerians for their constructive criticisms and engagement, noting that public feedback helped INEC to grow stronger and more responsive.

“Above all, I thank Nigerians for their comments and criticisms, which encouraged rather than discouraged us to persevere,” he said.

While his tenure was marked by significant progress, it was not without challenges. Electoral logistics, political interference, security concerns, and public mistrust occasionally threatened the integrity of elections. The 2023 general elections, for instance, sparked debates and criticisms from various stakeholders who questioned the consistency of BVAS performance and result transmission. However, Yakubu maintained that INEC remained committed to learning from its experiences to improve future elections. He often described Nigeria as “Africa’s most demographically and logistically complex electoral environment,” emphasizing that managing elections in a country of over 200 million people was no small feat.

Despite stepping down, Yakubu revealed that INEC had already begun early preparations for future elections, particularly the 2027 general elections. He disclosed that the Commission was awaiting the passage of a new Electoral Act by the National Assembly, which would further shape electoral processes and regulations. The bill, once enacted, would require INEC to update its operational guidelines, manuals, and voter register to reflect the new legal provisions.

“Beyond the reviews, the Commission needs to clean up the voters’ register, review polling unit locations, and improve logistics management for future elections,” he noted.

INEC also plans to enhance political party monitoring and the management of primaries, as over 20,000 candidates were processed during the last general elections, a massive undertaking that required improved digital coordination and transparency.

During the brief handover ceremony, Acting Chairman Ms. May Agbamuche-Mbu commended Professor Yakubu for his leadership and legacy. She praised his dedication, innovation, and professionalism, noting that his tenure set a high standard for electoral management in Nigeria.

“We acknowledge the significant contributions and achievements made by Yakubu during his tenure, particularly his dedication and service to the nation. We pray for success in your future endeavours,” she said.

Agbamuche-Mbu also pledged to maintain the Commission’s integrity and build upon the foundation laid by her predecessor.

“I pledge to uphold the integrity of the Commission and work with professionalism and unity with all national commissioners, RECs, directors, and INEC staff nationwide,” she affirmed.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit marks the end of an era that redefined Nigeria’s electoral administration. His focus on technology-driven reforms, institutional transparency, and stakeholder inclusiveness positioned INEC as one of the most improved election bodies in Africa. While opinions on his performance remain mixed, even critics acknowledge that under his watch, Nigeria’s elections became more transparent, though still evolving. His departure leaves behind a legacy of innovation and institutional resilience that his successors will have to sustain and improve upon.
As he signed his official handover notes and presented two books “Election Management in Nigeria 2015–2025” and “Electoral Technology 2015–2025” — Yakubu symbolically documented a decade of transformation and lessons learned.
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Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s decision to step down as INEC Chairman was not merely a personal choice but a strategic act of leadership. It underscores the importance of institutional continuity, accountability, and foresight in governance.
His tenure leaves behind a strengthened commission that has embraced digital transformation, improved transparency, and built stronger relationships with stakeholders. As Ms. Agbamuche-Mbu assumes acting leadership, Nigerians and the international community will be watching closely to see how INEC continues to evolve ahead of the 2027 general elections, a crucial test for the nation’s democracy.

By PrimeLineInfo